There are just two weeks left in the NFL season, but Week 17 promises to be one of the wildest weeks in recent memory. There are so many big games with playoff implications, and several games in which the “loser" will be eliminated from the playoffs entirely.
To get you prepared for the week ahead, here are our best bets and picks for Week 17 of the NFL season. Please note that all NFL gameday odds and lines are current as of 1:00 p.m. ET on Monday, December 27.
Marcus Mosher’s Best Bets NFL Betting Record: 55-39
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Cincinnati Bengals Prediction
The Bengals are one of the most fun teams in the NFL. With Joe Burrow under center, it’s an offense that can put up 40 points at a moment’s notice. They also have a defense that can rush the passer and a secondary that can cover the best receivers in football.
However, this is a bad matchup for the Bengals. Yes, they are at home and this helps. But the Chiefs might be the best team in the NFL. They’ve got a pass rush that can get home with four rushers, and a secondary that is playing with a ton of confidence.
The Bengals still might be a playoff team and probably should win the AFC North. But they still have a ways to go before they are in the class of the Chiefs.
Chiefs vs. Bengals Prediction: Chiefs 27, Bengals 17
Sportsbook Play of the Day
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Chiefs vs. Bengals Best Bet: Chiefs -4.5 (-110) on TwinSpires
Wager: 1 Unit
4.5 points seems like a lot for a road favorite, but the Chiefs are clicking on all cylinders right now. They scored 36 points against the Steelers without Travis Kelce. In fact, they could have scored even more if Pittsburgh would have made the game a bit more competitive.
Patrick Mahomes thew for 258 yards and three touchdowns with almost all of his production coming in the first half.
As good as the Bengals looked on Sunday against the Ravens, the Chiefs are just better and are a bad matchup for them. Expect the Chiefs to win by double digits as their defense wills them to victory once again.
Chiefs vs. Bengals Best Bet: Under 49 (-110) on TwinSpires
Wager: 1 Unit
Kansas City’s defense has been outstanding for the last two months. They’ve allowed more than 17 points just once in their last eight games. Teams are struggling to even score 10 points against this defense right now.
Look for Joe Burrow and the Bengals to have some success here, but for the Chiefs to hold them under 20 points and for the Under to ultimately hit in Cincinnati.
Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Chargers Prediction
Heading into Week 16, both the Broncos and the Chargers had an excellent opportunity to put themselves into the playoff picture. However, both teams lost in disappointing fashion, and are currently on the outside looking in when it comes to the playoffs.
Sitting at 8-7, the Chargers still have a good chance to make the playoffs if they can win their final two games. However, they did not fare well the last time they played the Broncos, losing 28-13 in Denver.
Can the Chargers get revenge and officially knock the Broncos out of playoff contention? That’s where we are leaning in this AFC West showdown.
Broncos vs. Chargers Prediction: Chargers 24, Broncos 17
Broncos vs. Chargers Best Bet: Chargers -6 (-110) on TwinSpires
Wager: 1 Unit
Yes, it’s hard to trust the Chargers after they were blown out by the Texans in Week 16. However, it’s just as hard to put a lot of faith in Drew Lock, who is set to start for the Broncos again at quarterback.
Against the Las Vegas Raiders, Lock completed just 15 passes for 153 yards as the Broncos scored just 13 points. Worse yet, Denver managed to earn just eight first downs all game.
The fear here is that the Broncos will be able to run the ball at will against the Chargers. But the Chargers should be getting a couple of key defenders back (Joey Bosa, Derwin James) for this playoff-like game. That should help keep the score down, and it should force Lock into some unfavorable down and distances.
Take the Chargers -6 and look for the offense to get back on track at home with their full complement of weapons.
Broncos vs. Chargers Best Bet: Under 45.5 (-110) on TwinSpires
Wager: 1 Unit
Denver’s defense is still playing really well this season as they are No. 1 in points per game allowed (17.3). They won’t completely stop Justin Herbert as they did a few weeks ago, but look for them to keep the score down.
Both teams will want to run the ball, and that should lead to a 24-17 type of game here in the division.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Baltimore Ravens Prediction
All of a sudden, the Rams have a very realistic shot to win the NFC West and host a playoff game in Round 1. However, they need to beat the Baltimore Ravens here in Week 17 to keep pace with the Cardinals.
Meanwhile, the Ravens need to win their final two games of the season in order to secure a Wild Card berth. A loss in Week 17 or 18 will likely eliminate them from playoff contention. Needless to say, this is a huge game for both teams as they try to make a push for the playoffs.
The Rams are favored here and should win as they just have too much firepower on offense. The Ravens continue to suffer injuries on defense and could be without their top four cornerbacks for this game.
Take the Rams to win on Sunday in this huge battle in Baltimore.
Rams vs. Ravens Prediction: Rams 31, Ravens 24
Rams vs. Ravens Best Bet: Rams -3 (-110) on TwinSpires
Wager: 1 Unit
Matthew Stafford has been inconsistent this season, but it’s hard to imagine that he won’t have a big game against Baltimore in Week 17.
The Ravens are decimated in the secondary and the Rams have the NFL’s leading receiver in Cooper Kupp. Baltimore can be a really frisky team at times, but we saw in Week 16 that they just don’t have the horses on defense to stop a top-ranked offense.
Look for the Rams to turn this into a track meet and win by at least a touchdown in Baltimore.
Rams vs. Ravens Best Bet: Over 46 (-110) on TwinSpires
Wager: 1 Unit
Baltimore currently has the No. 20 scoring defense in the NFL, allowing 23.7 points per game. However, they have surrendered 72 total points over the last two weeks, and the defense appears to be getting worn out as the season progresses.
The Rams should score 30+ in this game, and with Lamar Jackson likely back in the lineup, the Ravens shouldn’t have many problems scoring either. Don’t be surprised if both teams score into the 30s and the Over hits with ease on Sunday.
Thanks for reading our NFL Week 17 Best Bets. For more NFL Week 17 betting tips, check out our Week 17 Power Rankings and Week 17 Prop Bets.
